A top singer's guide to getting through that long, long rehearsal

18 July 2015, 10:35

At the intensive rehearsal ahead of the Genesis Sixteen's 'Sound's Sublime Festival' in London it's all about singing well, having fun, and staying in good vocal health. With this in mind, their associate conductor Eamonn Dougan took a moment to share his advice to all singers out there.

It's a familiar problem for singers - and you've probably encountered it, whether you sing in a church choir, a choral society, an office choir, the shower or at late-night karaoke. You've got a long period of singing ahead, and you need to find a way to get through without straining or losing your voice.

The talented young singers of Genesis Sixteen are about to kick off their second Sounds Sublime Festival, which celebrates the diversity of singing in London with concerts, workshops and pop-up performances. This week we were there, watching the intensive rehearsals, loving the music and admiring the incredible sound. Cheeky psalmic Instagram alert...

But just how does a singer get though hour after hour of a long rehearsal and ensure they have voice left for that evening concert? Vocal health is one of the themes of this year's Sounds Sublime festival. We put the questions to Genesis Sixteen associate conductor (and singer in The Voices of Classic FM, The Sixteen) Eamonn Dougan. He had these four tips.

Vocal health is a big focus of this year's Sounds Sublime Festival, with a talk by ENT specialist Nick Gibbins. There's plenty of great choral music too, including pop-up performances at The National Gallery and a concert in central London's St Martin-in-the-Field's church. It will be great. We can enthusiastically recommend the Poulenc, and are confident in the knowledge that no voices will be strained. Full details about the Genesis Sixteen and what they're up to here.